What circular saw should a beginner buy?

A corded 7-1/4" saw with a carbide blade — Skilsaw or Dewalt corded are the most beginner-friendly because power never varies. Once you're comfortable with technique, upgrade to cordless for the convenience.

What blade should I use for cutting plywood?

A 40-tooth carbide blade for clean crosscuts. More teeth (60+) for ultra-fine finish cuts. Fewer teeth (24) for fast ripping. The blade that comes with most saws is a general-purpose 18–24 tooth blade — replace it with a 40-tooth for cleaner cuts immediately.

How do I cut straight with a circular saw?

Use a straightedge guide (a strip of plywood clamped to the workpiece) as a fence for the saw's base plate. Set the blade depth to 1/4" below the wood thickness. Let the saw reach full speed before entering the cut. Never force the blade.

Best Circular Saws in 2026: Clean Cuts on Every Job

A circular saw is the most versatile cutting tool in any shop or job site — it cuts framing lumber, plywood sheets, decking, and trim faster and more accurately than a hand saw, and handles jobs that a miter saw or table saw can't reach. For any DIYer doing more than occasional projects, it's the first power tool worth owning.

Here are the best circular saws of 2026 — corded for raw sustained power and cordless for portability — evaluated by cut quality, bevel capacity, blade visibility, and whether they're actually comfortable to control through a full sheet of plywood.

What to Look For

Corded vs. cordless: Corded saws deliver consistent power regardless of battery state — better for long production days and thick material. Cordless saws (20V MAX, 18V) match corded performance for most tasks and are significantly more convenient. A 18V/20V brushless cordless saw with a 5Ah battery is the current recommendation for most DIYers.
Blade size: 7-1/4" is the standard — it cuts up to 2-9/16" at 90° (through 2x framing lumber). Smaller blades (6-1/2") are lighter but cut shallower. Larger blades (8-1/4") are rare for hand-held saws — usually specialized for framing.
Blade left vs. right: Left-blade saws (blade on left) give right-handed users a direct sight line to the cut line. Right-blade saws (traditional) require looking over the motor. Left-blade is ergonomically superior for right-handed users — worth seeking specifically.
Bevel capacity: Saws bevel 45–56° for angled cuts. A 56° bevel (instead of the standard 45°) allows compound miter cuts that 45° saws can't make. Essential for roofing and angled trim work.
Anti-snag lower guard: Cheap saws have lower guards that catch on the workpiece when starting cuts at an angle. Better guards retract smoothly at any angle. Test this specifically when demoing a saw — it's the most frequent irritation in daily use.

Our Top Picks

#1 Best Overall

Dewalt DCS570B 7-1/4-Inch Cordless Circular Saw

20V MAX · Brushless motor · 5,200 RPM · Left blade · 57° bevel · Tool-free depth and bevel · Best cordless circular saw for DIYers and professionals (tool only, use with 20V battery)

~$150 View on Amazon →

#2 Best Corded

Skilsaw SPT67WM-22 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw

15A · 5,300 RPM · DUAL-FIELD motor (runs cooler) · Lightweight magnesium footplate · 56° bevel · Best corded circular saw under $100

~$90 View on Amazon →

#3 Best Budget Cordless

Ryobi PBLCS300B ONE+ HP 7-1/4-Inch Cordless Saw

18V ONE+ compatible · Brushless · 5,000 RPM · 51° bevel · Tool-free adjustments · Best budget cordless circular saw for occasional use

~$100 View on Amazon →

#4 Best for Finish Work

Makita XSS02Z 18V LXT 6-1/2-Inch Cordless

6-1/2" blade · Lighter for one-handed control · Left blade design · 45° bevel · Best for trim carpentry and lighter cutting tasks

~$130 View on Amazon →

Bottom Line

The Dewalt DCS570B cordless is the right saw for most DIYers — brushless motor, left-blade design for right-handed users, and if you're already in the 20V MAX ecosystem it's a battery-share buy rather than a full purchase. The Skilsaw corded is the value king for shop work where you're always near an outlet.